THE ISSUE
The majority of “global north” nations like China, India, and especially the United States have become dramatically dependent on fossil fuel energies to run factories, cars, homes, etc. When those fuels get burned into gases, they rise into the air and they obviously go somewhere. Ever thought about what those gases do once released into the air? How about all those gases released into the air since the time (approximately the 1700s) humans began using fossils fuels? There is no doubt that energy is essential to the life as we currently know it. The question is: Does using energy have to help and hurt our world?

THE SCIENCE
Every time fossil fuels are burned into gases they evaporate into the air. They are trapped by the atmosphere – that same force that space shuttles have to break through when going into space – and these gases create a “blanket” of accumulating gases within the atmosphere. Separately, when the sun’s rays (infrared radiation) shine down onto our earth these rays warm our earth. Additionally, though, these rays are trapped by the “blanket” of accumulated gases in the atmosphere, which can exist for as long as fifty years! This has resulted, due to the trapping of the sun’s heating rays, in an average temperature rise of about one degree throughout the world. Doesn’t sound like that much? Consider this: the difference in temperature between modern times and the last ice age is only about 9 degrees Fahrenheit! So, yes, every degree matters, especially because the incremental rises in average temperature are dramatically increasing.

BRIEF HISTORY
Scientists expect that, in the absence of effective policies to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, the global average temperature will increase another 2.0 degrees Fahrenheit to 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. Who are these experts? They are the best in the world who are also concerned about the world’s safety. In 2007, thousands of scientific experts assembled at the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and concluded that human activity is obviously the most-likely reason for global climate change. In a joint statement with ten other National Academies of Science, the IPCC said "The scientific understanding of climate change is now sufficiently clear to justify nations taking prompt action. It is vital that all nations identify cost-effective steps that they can take now to contribute to substantial and long-term reduction in net global greenhouse gas emissions” (2005). This conclusion was not a sudden realization. The IPCC has been investigating effects of human activity on climate change for quite a while.

In fact, in December, 1997, the IPCC agreed upon a code of behavior to address global warming which they called the Kyoto Protocol. In November, 2007,175 partieshave ratified the protocol. Of these, 36 developed countries (plus theEUas a party in its own right) are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the levels specified for each of them in the treaty, with three more countries intending to participate. Unfortunately, though, the United States has only signed the Kyoto Protocol, but has never ratified it nor withdrawn from the Protocol. The signature alone is only symbolic, as the Kyoto Protocol is non-binding on the United States unless ratified. The United States was, as of 2005, the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. The U.S. has joined theAsia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate but this involves no enforcement mechanism such as in the Kyoto Protocol. On the congressional level, over 200 climate change legislative attempts have been introduced since the 105th Congress, although none have been truly successful.

Although the U.S. federal government has implemented little overall to help combat the effects of global warming, many local U.S. government have stepped up to the responsibility. The result has been regional efforts like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and even collaborative municipality efforts like the 740 U.S. cities that openly support the efforts of the Kyoto Protocol.

HERE IN WISCONSIN
Governor Doyle has created a Task Force on Global Warming, Executive Order #191, which of a prominent and diverse group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environmental leaders. After examining the effects of, and solutions to, global warming in Wisconsin, the Task Force will create a state plan of action to reduce our state's greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, many local and state groups have been created to reinforce the importance of Wisconsin being a leader in the fight against global warming.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Part of the problem of global warming has been the lack of concern by companies, governments, and even individuals. Individuals by themselves can only slightly improve the condition but collectively significant effects can be accomplished. Preventing the negative impacts of global warming requires a societal and cultural change by each individual. Realizing how each individual and company contributes to the global warming can change this mindset. What are you doing that exacerbates this global problem? Once you have identified your negative contributions, take a look at the ways you can mitigate the effects of global warming. These recommendations may seem simpler than you would image. Lastly, spread the word about this issue. Societal change does not happen over night. There are many skeptics of global warming out there. When you hear those critics, let them know what you have discovered - such as your understanding of the greenhouse effect, the findings by the IPCC, etc. Changing the minds of single individuals, companies, communities, and government can have a significant effect if it’s made a priority. Global warming may not have disastrous effects in our lifetime, but it is our responsibility to take steps to protect the lives of the future!